PUMA and Arsenal Announce Partnership

Although known for some time, PUMA will become the official kit partner of Arsenal as of July 1st following an announcement on the Arsenal website.

The deal ends the 20 year relationship between the Gunners and Nike. Arsenal’s previous kit suppliers include Adidas and Umbro. PUMA also supplies kits to Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, and Cardiff City, and national teams including Italy, and said it wanted to establish itself as the third major football brand. The agreement is believed to be worth at least £30million a year over the next five years.

Among PUMA’s football ambassadors are former Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas, and current star Olivier Giroud.

Speaking to Arsenal.com at the Emirates Stadium, Bjoern Gulden, chief executive officer for PUMA said: “Arsenal have been a key strategic target for PUMA for a number of years now. Through a clear commercial vision, a well-defined sports marketing strategy and a relentless enthusiasm within the PUMA organisation, we’re proud to have signed this partnership with a truly global football club.”

Back in October, former British sprint champion Linford Christie may have unwittingly revealed the new Arsenal kit for next season. The former Olympic gold medallist tweeted a picture of Thierry Henry wearing a PUMA shirt along with current players Bacary Sagna and Olivier Giroud before subsequently deleting the image.

Several ‘leaked’ version of next season’s attire have being doing the rounds online since.